Dee Lloyd Roberts

Dee Lloyd Roberts, age 87 passed away with his family by his side in Coffeyville, Kansas.

September 24, 1937 marked the day that Dee entered this world in Los Angeles, California. He was the first of 3 children born to Floyd O. and Geneva B. (Phipps) Roberts. When Dee was in the first grade, his family moved to Coffeyville, where his father found work at the Continental Can Company to be closer to relatives. He attended Clear Creek Country school until the 8th Grade when he came into town to attend junior high at Roosevelt Middle School. There, he met a young girl named Judith Toney, igniting a courtship that flourished into a loving marriage lasting 68 years.

During Dee's junior high and high school years he was active in football and track. In high school, he was an All-County halfback his senior year and threw the javelin for the track team. He was elected co-captain for both teams as a senior. In addition to his general studies, he was enrolled in drafting and as many auto shop classes that the trade school offered. Dee was an accelerated student in auto repair and spent his summers working at the Dearing Auto Garage honing his skills and doing what he loved, working on cars.

On November 5, 1956 he married Judith "Judy" Rae Toney in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The two made their home in Coffeyville and at the age of 19 he began working at Sinclair Pipe Line Company (later to become Arco) in Independence, Kansas in the pipe accounting group, later moving to draftsman and ending his career as the Drafting Supervisor. Dee didn't end his career in auto repair as he was a shade tree mechanic working on cars for friends, rebuilding lawn mowers and fixing anything mechanical. There was always a car in the garage on the weekends that he was fixing for a friend. Those who would stop by always knew if he was in the garage working because they could hear news from the radio blaring. It was after 37 years of dedication at Arco he retired in 1994.

Dee loved his family and treasured spending time with them, when the boys were young, he coached their football / baseball teams and taught them how to shoot and hunt. He was a longtime member and past president of the Independence Gun Club where he was an avid trap and skeet shooter. He used his shooting skills to hunt doves, quail, waterfowl, deer, and antelope. He also enjoyed taking a ride on his motorcycle.

In retirement, Dee found joy in restoring his beloved 1953 Chevy pickup, the second owner of which he was, maintaining its original wood bed. This truck, along with his 2006 Pontiac GTO, became prized possessions that he showcased in numerous car shows. Friends and family recognized him as a steadfast GM enthusiast, and every vehicle he owned was meticulously cared for and was an item friends got in line to purchase when he was ready to sell.

Dee leaves behind his wife Judy of the home, daughter Tonya (Bob) Kriebel, their children Chelsey (Ryan) Schlotfelt, Lacey Kriebel and Wade Kriebel, son Tim (Marci) their children Lindsey (Luke) Logan, Jordan (Austen) Malone and Lauren Roberts and son Tod (Margaret) their children Ben, Charlie and Anna Roberts. Several Great grand-children, Blake and Reed Schlotfelt, Collin, Clayton and Everly Logan.

He is also survived by his brother Wayne Roberts and a host of extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister Jane Tongier.

Funeral services celebrating Dee's life will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 10AM at 10 am at Westside Christian Church, 402 N Ohio St, Coffeyville, Kansas with Pastor Mike Elrod officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 5 to 7pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville. For those wishing to contribute monetarily in Dee's memory the family has requested those contributions be made payable to the Independence Gun Club and those may be left in care of the chapel. To leave an online message of condolence, share a memory with the family or view live streaming of his service under his obituary tab visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com